NHS staff take a shine to fund-raising

The Shine fund-raising team at Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust.

Published:11:55Saturday 21 February 2015

Share this article

Healthcare staff have raised tens of thousands of pounds to give extra treats to patients.

Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, which provides mental health services and runs St George’s Park and Northgate Hospital in Morpeth, has raised more than £68,000 in the last 12 months through its Shine fund.

The initiative aims to fund items that aren’t covered by NHS budgets and recently has provided a Christmas present for every patient, games, activities, a pool table and outings.

Organiser Tracey Sopp said: “Staff have been pulling together and doing all sorts of activities to raise money for our charity. We’ve had people zip-wiring off the Tyne Bridge, Christmas jumper days, raffles, fairs, cake bakes and all manner of fund-raising activities as we want to provide our patients with the small extras that make a big difference.”

A small group has been set up to come up with fund-raising ideas and is planning an event each month.